Road to the 2026 World Cup January 2025 Edition: Europe
To kick off 2025, I wrote this special article to serve as a different kind of guide in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. While a year and a half seems like a long time, time is running out for a lot of players aiming for a spot in their nation’s squad (and earning them qualification). The 2025 summer transfer window will be the last significant chance for players to change their situation in their favor, as movement is more limited in winter windows. But before all of that can happen, this is a snapshot for players in nearly every national team that could qualify for the World Cup that has at least one player in an accessible league to view in the United States.
Such leagues include the Premier League, EFL Championship, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, Ligue 1, Major League Soccer, USL Championship, and Liga MX. Some players from leagues such as Liga Portugal, Eredivisie, Scottish Premier League, Turkish Super Lig, and Belgian Pro League may also appear but primarily if their club is in one of the three European competitions. I will avoid mentioning obvious players when possible.
I’ll list each player’s position, club, name, birth year, and domestic league stats (excludes European and domestic cups). All info correct as of December 29, 2024.
This is a much longer than usual article to thank those that supported my work in 2024 and invite new people on board in 2025. My shorter, weekly articles during the European season will still have the same passion.
I’ll pin this article (and the Rest of the World version) to refer back to it throughout the year, at least unless/until I provide an updated version as we get a clearer picture of the thinking World Cup field. Please share this to anyone who is even remotely interested in the World Cup.
Hope you enjoy!
UEFA
UEFA Groups Note: Eight groups are yet to be determined as Germany, Italy, Portugal, Denmark, Spain, Netherlands, France, and Croatia’s designations will be determined by the UEFA Nations League. For this article, they will be listed under their first possible group.
Group A
Germany
Goalkeeper Stuttgart Alexander Nubel 1996; 15 app 2 clean sheets 1 pen saved 6.6 avg rating
Right Back Stuttgart Josha Vagnoman 2000; 14 app 6.7 avg rating
Center Back Borussia Dortmund Nico Schlotterbeck 1999; 14 app 2 assists 7.3 avg rating
Left (Wing Back) Werder Bremen Derrick Kohn 1999; 13 app 2 goals 2 assists 7.1 avg rating
Defensive Midfielder Bayern Munich Aleksandar Pavlovic 2004; 9 app 1 goal 7.2 avg rating
Center Midfielder Borussia Dortmund Felix Nmecha 2000; 15 app 2 goals 1 assist 7.0 avg rating
Forward Borussia Dortmund Maximilian Beier 2002; 14 app 3 goals 2 assists 6.7 avg rating
Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz, and Joshua Kimmich will be among the stars and leaders for the four-time World Cup Champions but Toni Kroos, Ilkay Gundogan, and Thomas Muller have retired from international duty. Manuel Neuer and Marc-Andre ter Stegen will occupy two goalkeeper spots if they are healthy, but while they are both injured, this is Alexander Nubel’s chance to raise his stock. Nico Schlotterbeck and Felix Nmecha are the most likely players of this bunch to make the World Cup squad, but the others are young players who could rise in the ranks in 2025.
Italy
Right Back Napoli Giovanni Di Lorenzo 1993; 18 app 3 goals 1 assist 7.4 avg rating
Center Back/Left Back Arsenal Riccardo Calafiori 2002; 9 app 7.1 avg rating
Left Back Inter Milan Federico Dimarco 1997; 17 app 3 goals 3 assists 7.3 avg rating
Center Midfielder Lazio Nicolo Rovella 2001; 15 app 7.1 avg rating
Left Winger Freiburg Vincenzo Grifo 1993; 15 app 4 goals 7 assists 7.6 avg rating
Forward Atalanta Mateo Retegui 1999; 17 app 12 goals 3 assists 7.3 avg rating
Forward Fiorentina Moise Kean 2000; 17 app 11 goals 2 assists 7.3 avg rating
Forward Udinese Lorenzo Lucca 2000; 18 app 7 goals 6.9 avg rating
Italy has four World Cup titles but is looking for redemption after failing to qualify for the last two World Cups and falling early to Switzerland in Euro 2024. It starts in defense where the health of Di Lorenzo, Calafiori, and Dimarco along with other key players like Alessandro Bastoni can shore up what was a peerless strength in Italian generations past. Some of the less expected Serie A title contenders yield promising additions like Rovella, Retegui, and Kean. Grifo and Lucca provide some wildcard, longshot options to monitor. To Grifo’s credit, his production level at Freiburg is really impressive.
Slovakia
Goalkeeper Mallorca Dominik Greif 1997; 14 app 4 clean sheets 6.7 avg rating
Center Back Wolfsburg Denis Vavro 1996; 11 app 7.1 avg rating
Left Back Cagliari Adam Obert 2002; 10 app 6.7 avg rating
Defensive Midfielder Napoli Stanislav Lobotka 1994; 14 app 1 assist 7.3 avg rating
Defensive Midfielder Hellas Verona Ondrej Duda 1994; 11 app 2 assists 7.0 avg rating
Center Midfielder Bochum Matus Bero 1995; 13 app 3 goals 6.9 avg rating
Right Winger Hellas Verona Tomas Suslov 2002; 14 app 6.4 avg rating
It took England extra time to get through Slovakia at Euro 2024, and with more Slovakians popping up across the top European leagues, they are going to be a challenge for either
Germany or Italy as they look to qualify for their first World Cup since 2010. Goalkeeper Dominik Greif is part of a resurgent Mallorca side, with Vavro and Obert reliable defensive options. The midfield could be the key for Slovakia’s future success as veterans Stanislav Lobotka and Ondrej Duda set the tone with hard-nosed midfield play. Tomas Suslov still has time to improve but needs to get on the board with a goal contribution soon.
Northern Ireland
Right Back Liverpool Conor Bradley 2003; 7 app 6.4 avg rating
Center Back Sunderland Daniel Ballard 1999; 12 app 2 goals 7.0 avg rating
Defensive Midfielder Millwall George Saville 1993; 23 app 1 assist 7.1 avg rating
Center Midfielder Sheffield Wednesday Shea Charles 2003; 21 app 1 goal 4 assists 7.5 avg rating
Right Winger Queens Park Rangers Paul Smyth 1997; 24 app 1 goal 2 assists 6.7 avg rating
Northern Ireland face the longest odds of the British Isles nations to qualify for the World Cup, but successful seasons in the EFL Championship could yield a positive outlook. Providing some Premier League level representations is young star defender Conor Bradley, seeing his role in Liverpool expand even further under Arne Slot.
Group B
Switzerland
Center Back Real Valladolid Eray Comert 1998; 15 app 6.0 avg rating
Center Back Borussia Monchengladbach Nico Elvedi 1996; 9 app 1 goal 1 assist 7.1 avg rating
Left Back Real Betis Ricardo Rodriguez 1992; 6 app 7.0 avg rating
Center Midfielder Bologna Remo Freuler 1992; 16 app 2 assists 7.2 avg rating
Forward Monaco Breel Embolo 1997; 14 app 3 goals 2 assists 6.7 avg rating
Switzerland have a deeper than expected national team for its population, and they can call upon various experienced veterans particularly in defense, though Eray Comert has had his struggles this season. Ricardo Rodriguez hasn’t featured a lot for Real Betis this season, but he could still add to his 125 international caps. Providing cover for that defense is Remo Freuler who is a big reason why Bologna have been competing at a high level these past two seasons. Breel Embolo looks to follow suit in Ligue 1.
Sweden
Right Back Bologna Emil Holm 2000; 9 app 1 assist 7.6 avg rating
Right Back/Center Back Atalanta Isak Hien 1999; 15 app 7.0 avg rating
Left Back Lille Gabriel Gudmundsson 1999; 15 app 6.8 avg rating
Center Midfielder Wolfsburg Mattias Svanberg 1999; 8 app 2 goals 1 assist 6.7 avg rating
Center Midfielder Udinese Jesper Kalstrom 1995; 18 app 1 assist 6.9 avg rating
Forward Sporting CP Viktor Gyokeres 1998; 16 app 18 goals 2 assists 8.3 avg rating
Forward Newcastle United Alexander Isak 1999; 16 app 11 goals 4 assists 7.5 avg rating
Sweden typically has had some quality players in attacking areas, most famously Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but more talent is coming through in defense and midfield as well. The Italian based duo of Holm and Hein could potentially play together or be strong competition for that right back slot. Gabriel Gudmundsson looks to have a clearer path to starting on the left flank. Exciting midfielders Svanberg and Karlstrom will provide top class strikers Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak a steady supply of opportunities. Every big club is pursuing Gyokeres in particular this upcoming summer transfer window.
Slovenia
Center Midfielder Udinese Sandi Lovric 1998; 17 app 1 goal 2 assists 6.8 avg rating
Forward RB Leipzig Benjamin Sesko 2003; 15 app 6 goals 2 assists 6.9 avg rating
Udinese are having a solid season and Sandi Lovric will look to link up with the incredible striker talent that Benjamin Sesko brings to the table. The biggest question for Sesko is where will he play by the time the World Cup come around, because big clubs like Arsenal are interested in his services.
Group C
Portugal
Left Back Lazio Nuno Tavares 2000; 13 app 8 assists 7.4 avg rating
Left Back PSG Nuno Mendes 2002; 9 app 1 assist 7.4 avg rating
Center Midfielder PSG Vitinha 2000; 13 app 3 goals 7.7 avg rating
Right Winger Juventus Chico Conceicao 2002; 13 app 1 goal 3 assists 7.0 avg rating
Left Winger AC Milan Rafael Leao 1999; 15 app 3 goals 4 assists 7.4 avg rating
While Nuno Mendes is younger and already has more Portugal appearances than Nuno Tavares, both are playing well which will keep this team covered in that area of defense. While this national team is never short of attacking options, Vitinha, Chico Conceicao, and Rafael Leao possess an abundance of technical ability to complete the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo in what will possibly be his last World Cup. While Rafael Leao has already shown he can be a focal point for AC Milan, his Juventus counterpart Chico Conceicao has just taken that leap which excites me for the potential he can achieve by 2026.
Denmark
Right Wing Back Benfica Alexander Bah 1997; 14 app 1 assist 7.4 avg rating
Center Back Fulham Joachim Andersen 1996; 11 app 7.0 avg rating
Left Wing Back Wolfsburg Joakim Maehle 1997; 10 app 2 goals 2 assists 7.0 avg rating
Center Midfielder Genoa Morten Frendrup 2001; 17 app 1 goal 7.1 avg rating
Right Winger Lazio Gustav Isaksen 2001; 18 app 2 goals 2 assists 6.7 avg rating
While all three of the Danish defenders I’ve highlighted have missed significant time this season due to injury, they remain the cornerstones of that area. The next wave of talent coming through in the attacking positions are Serie A based, with Morten Frendrup and Gustav Isaksen looking like great players to partner with Christian Eriksen in midfield and Rasmus Hojlund in a front three.
Greece
Goalkeeper Newcastle United Odysseas Vlachodimos 1994
Center Back West Ham Konstantinos Mavropanos 1997; 16 app 6.7 avg rating
Left Back Liverpool Kostas Tsimikas 1996; 8 app 6.8 avg rating
Left Back Monza Giorgos Kyriakopoulos 1996; 17 app 2 goals 3 assists 7.1 avg rating
Left Back Augsburg Dimitrios Giannoulis 1995; 13 app 1 assist 7.0 avg rating
Forward Celta Vigo Anastasios Douvikas 1999; 17 app 3 goals 1 assist 6.5 avg rating
Forward Benfica Vangelis Pavlidis 1998; 16 app 4 goals 2 assists 7.2 avg rating
Odysseas Vlachodimos will be among the goalkeepers looking for a Summer 2025 transfer to get more playing time at club level. Despite strong play at Benfica, it just hasn’t worked out for him in England. Ironically, three of the most talented Greek players right now all play left back. If Greece somehow qualify for their first World Cup since 2014, that’ll be an interesting situation to monitor. It’s slim pickings elsewhere as while Greece has two quality forwards to call upon, Konstantinos Mavropanos is inconsistent at best for the Hammers.
Scotland
Center Back Las Palmas Scott McKenna 1996; 14 app 6.5 avg rating
Center Midfielder Aston Villa John McGinn 1994; 16 app 3 assists 6.9 avg rating
Center Midfielder Napoli Scott McTominay 1996; 15 app 3 goals 2 assists 7.2 avg rating
Right Winger/Attacking Midfielder Empoli Liam Henderson 1996; 17 app 1 assist 6.6 avg rating
Right Winger Middlesbrough Ben Doak 2005; 19 app 2 goals 5 assists 7.2 avg rating
Attacking Midfielder Bologna Lewis Ferguson 1999; 3 app 6.3 avg rating
Scotland have qualified for the last two Euro tournaments but haven’t returned to the World Cup since 1998. They were thrown to the wolves in Euro 2024 dealing with a difficult group of Germany, Switzerland, and Hungary. Qualifying won’t be a picnic either, but more seasons in top flight football for the Scots will do them well. This includes playing in La Liga and Serie A (if Lewis Ferguson recaptures his form after returning from injury, he’s golden), which are leagues we didn’t see many British let alone Scottish players competing in prior to a few years ago. Ben Doak will be a young prospect to keep an eye on out on loan in Middlesbrough as he’ll need to make a jump up a level, likely through another 2025–26 loan.
Group D
France
Goalkeeper Lens Brice Samba 1994; 15 app 7 clean sheets 7.3 avg rating
Right Back Chelsea Malo Gusto 2003; 15 app 1 assist 6.9 avg rating
Center Back Juventus Pierre Kalulu 2000; 15 app 6.8 avg rating
Defensive Midfielder Aston Villa Boubacar Kamara 1999; 9 app 6.6 avg rating
Center Midfielder Fiorentina Yacine Adli 2000; 16 app 2 goals 4 assists 7.1 avg rating
Center Midfielder/Winger Stuttgart Enzo Millot 2002; 15 app 4 goals 2 assists 7.0 avg rating
Forward Inter Milan Marcus Thuram 1997; 18 app 12 goals 3 assists 7.7 avg rating
Left Winger PSG Bradley Barcola 2002; 16 app 10 goals 2 assists 7.6 avg rating
Narrowing down French players to keep an eye on ahead of a World Cup is always a difficult task because France, along with Spain, has the most depth in talent out of any national team. While they’ve missed out on adding to their trophies since victory at the 2018 World Cup, they’ve only lost on penalties two out of the last three times and the exception was a 2–1 loss to Spain at Euro 2024. Mike Maignan will be the starting goalkeeper, but I’m rooting for EFL Championship era Forest veteran Brice Samba to get one of the backup spots. Pierre Kalulu and Malo Gusto have become indispensable for their clubs. The midfield competition will be tough but Kamara, Adli, and Millot bring their qualities to the table. If Marcus Thuram and Bradley Barcola continue to play at a high level, France will be even scarier contenders.
Croatia
Center Back Fiorentina Marin Pongracic 1997; 3 app 6.4 avg rating
Center Back Lyon Duje Caleta-Car 1996; 13 app 6.9 avg rating
Center Back/Left Back Josko Gvardiol 2002; 18 app 4 goals 7.3 avg rating
Forward Hoffenheim Andrej Kramaric 1991; 14 app 6 goals 1 assist 7.1 avg rating
Forward Osasuna Ante Budimir 1991; 18 app 10 goals 1 assist 7.0 avg rating
I have already mentally penciled in Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic to continue defying aging and be around for the 2026 World Cup, but the defense and forward has some talented players that need to raise their games to keep this golden generation of Croatia going. Sure, some would argue it ended with a group stage exit in Euro 2024. However, this team has a pattern of going much deeper in World Cups than Euros this last decade. Josko Gvardiol might seem too obvious to mention alongside these other players, but he’s part of a potential sinking ship at Manchester City. Granted his individual performances haven’t been poor, but hopefully he can be a part of a turnaround (although the fans of 19 other Premier League clubs wish a turn around never happens).
Ukraine
Goalkeeper Benfica Anatoliy Trubin 2001; 16 app 8 clean sheets 7.3 avg rating
Center Back Bournemouth Illia Zabarnyi 2002; 19 app 7.1 avg rating
Left Back Everton Vitaliy Mykolenko 1999; 16 app 6.7 avg rating
Forward Roma Artem Dovbyk 1997; 16 app 5 goals 2 assists 6.8 avg rating
Ukraine have come painfully close to qualifying for the last two World Cups and despite getting 4 points in Euro 2024, they finished bottom. Surely, their luck has to turn around sooner or later, right? The mercurial former (and injury history in the former’s case) of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Mikhailo Mudryk is well known, but there are promising signs in goalkeeper and defense with Trubin, Zabarnyi, and Mykolenko being among the first names of their clubs’ teamsheets. Another x-factor is Artem Dovbyk who followed up a prolific season with Girona with a tough start in Roma. Ukraine need Dovbyk to rediscover his goalscoring touch to qualify for their second ever World Cup and first since 2006.
Iceland
Attacking Midfielder Fiorentina Albert Gudmundsson 1997; 8 app 3 goals 7.0 avg rating
Attacking Midfielder Lille Hakon Haraldsson 2003; 7 app 1 goal 1 assist 7.0 avg rating
Left Winger Venezia Mikael Ellertsson 2002; 17 app 2 goals 1 assist 6.7 avg rating
The county with a population comparable to Anaheim seems far removed from their golden generation that stunned England in the 2016 Euro and qualified for their first ever World Cup in 2018, but at least in attack there’s some promising talent coming from Europe’s Northwest extreme. The shiniest of these hidden gems is Fiorentina playmaker Albert Gudmundsson who has combined well with Lucas Beltran and Moise Kean to turn I Viola into powerhouses in the Serie A
Group E
Spain
Goalkeeper Arsenal David Raya 1995; 18 app 7 clean sheets 7.2 avg rating
Center Back Bournemouth Dean Huijsen 2005; 13 app 2 goals 7.2 avg rating
Center Back Barcelona Pau Cubarsi 2007; 19 app 1 assist 7.0 avg rating
Left Back AC Milan Alex Jimenez 2005; 3 app 7.4 avg rating
Left Winger Athletico Bilbao Nico Williams 2002; 17 app 1 goal 3 assists 7.0 avg rating
Left Winger/Forward Real Sociedad Mikel Oyarzabal 1997; 16 app 4 goals 1 assist 6.6 avg rating
As reigning Euro 2024 champions, Spain will be one of the favorites to win the 2026 World Cup. Sure, every World Cup since 2010 has been a disaster. It’s hard not to feel optimistic though when you have one of the most talented pools of player in the World. The way David Raya has been playing between the sticks for Arsenal, Unai Simon has to be looking over his shoulder. Dean Huijsen has evolved into a do-it-all center back for Bournemouth. Alex Jimenez has emerged when Theo Hernandez got injured at AC Milan as one of the few bright spots in a tough season for the Serie A giants. I also included some key players from El Clasico and the Basque clubs, especially as the latter contributed greatly to the Euro 2024 roster. Nico Williams doesn’t get as much headlines as Lamine Yamal but he can be just as devastating for opposing defenders to deal with. It may not show on the statsheet, but his dynamism opens things up for his teammates and it’s usually effective.
Netherlands
Center Back/Full Back RB Leipzig Lutsharel Geertruida 2000; 12 app 1 goal 6.6 avg rating
Center/Attacking Midfielder Girona Donny van de Beek 1997; 14 app 2 goals 2 assists 6.7 avg rating
Center/Attacking Midfielder AC Milan Tijjani Reijnders 1998; 16 app 5 goals 2 assists 7.1 avg rating
Attacking Midfielder Juventus Teun Koopmeiners 1998; 14 app 1 goal 3 assists 7.1 avg rating
Attacking Midfielder/Winger Bournemouth Justin Kluivert 1999; 18 app 6 goals 2 assists 7.0 avg rating
Forward Leeds United Joel Piroe 1999; 24 app 9 goals 5 assists 6.9 avg rating
While the Netherlands went down admirably to the eventual winners Argentina at the 2022 World Cup, not much since has suggested that they will shed their “Best Nation Never to Win a World Cup” label in 2022. Be it manager ineptitude or players not living up to their potential, there’s still some interesting options to look at here. RB Leipzig’s season has been mercurial at best, much like the play of Lutsharel Geertruida, but I still have faith in him. Girona likewise are putting faith in Donny van de Beek to return to his Ajax form. This is probably the best situation the Manchester United outcast can hope for. A midfielder that can call upon some combination of Reijnders, Koopmeiners, and a resurgent Kluivert to pull the strings is mouthwatering. My longshot is the incredible EFL Championship level striker Joel Piroe, as he has all the tools to succeed at a top division in 2025–26. The question will be if that will happen with Leeds United.
Türkiye
Attacking Midfielder/Winger Real Madrid Arda Guler 2005; 14 app 1 goal 3 assists 7.2 avg rating
Attacking Midfielder Inter Milan Hakan Calhanoglu 1994; 14 app 4 goals 2 assists 7.5 avg rating
Left Winger Juventus Kenan Yildiz 2005; 18 app 3 goals 2 assists 7.3 avg rating
Much of Turkiye’s squad is domestic based, but the key to vaulting this often middling UEFA nation into one that can qualify for the World Cup and potentially echo their Euro 2024 run is in midfield and attack. Kenan Yildiz and Arda Guler make one of the most exciting young winger duos in football. The biggest question with Guler is how much game time will he get at Real Madrid when all three of Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, and Kylian Mbappe are healthy?
Georgia
Attacking Midfielder Watford Giorgi Chakvetadze 1999; 23 app 2 goals 4 assists 7.3 avg rating
Forward Lyon Georges Mikautadze 2000; 15 app 4 goals 1 assist 6.7 avg rating
You already know about Khvicha Khvaratskhelia and Giorgi Mamardashvili, but surrounding your nation’s potentially best ever player with more attacking threats is an enticing proposition. Georges Mikautadze and Giorgi Chakvetadze are the next players up in that regard.
Group F
Hungary
Center Back Parma Botond Balogh 2002; 18 app 6.5 avg rating
Center Back RB Leipzig Willi Orban 1992; 13 app 4 goals 7.1 avg rating
Left Back Bournemouth Milos Kerkez 2003; 19 app 1 goal 2 assists 7.1 avg rating
Attacking Midfielder Liverpool Dominik Szoboszlai 2000; 17 app 2 goals 2 assists 7.2 avg rating
After just missing out on the Euro 2024 knockout stage on goal difference, Hungary have proved once again that they aren’t a punching bag anymore. It would be great to see Willi Orban lead this nation to their first World Cup in decades, and with more experience for Balogh and Kerkez, that backline will be as strong as ever. Milos Kerkez is expected to command a high transfer fee if he makes a Summer 2025 move, but if Bournemouth keep playing this well, his national team may want him to stay in that situation. After all, the big club quota is already filled with Dominik Szoboszlai who along with Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch has transformed the Liverpool midfield from a liability to a strength.
Ireland
Goalkeeper Liverpool Caoimhin Kelleher 1998; 8 app 3 clean sheets 1 pen saved 7.1 avg rating
Center Back Everton Jake O’Brien 2001; 2 app 6.4 avg rating
Center Back Brentford Nathan Collins 2001; 18 app 2 goals 1 assist 7.0 avg rating
Center Midfielder Burnley Josh Cullen 1996; 22 app 1 assist 7.3 avg rating
Center Midfielder West Brom Jayson Molumby 1999; 21 app 2 goals 6.9 avg rating
Left Winger Ipswich Town Sammie Szmodics 1995; 16 app 3 goals 6.4 avg rating
Forward Brighton Evan Ferguson 2004; 12 app 1 goal 6.3 avg rating
To be frank, Ireland’s World Cup appearance drought spanning from 2002 seems set to continue. There are some good players coming from the Emerald Isle these days, but it may take until Euro 2028 for this wave to yield a tournament appearance. Many of these players need a move to maximize their careers: Caoimhin Kelleher can’t spend another season behind Alisson, Evan Ferguson’s development in Brighton has stalled, and Jake O’Brien went from a top Ligue 1 defender in Lyon to barely featuring for Everton. Nathan Collins is doing well for Brentford, but Ireland’s midfield is still reliant on EFL Championship level players. That could change if Cullen or Molumby experience promotion. The most intriguing playing is Sammy Szmodics who lit up the Championship with Blackburn Rovers and showed flashes of brilliance albeit in a difficult situation at Ipswich Town
Armenia
Center Midfielder Inter Milan Henrikh Mkhitaryan 1989; 18 app 1 goal 3 assists 7.2 avg rating
This is a pipe dream, but it’s inspiring that Henrikh Mkhitaryan is playing at this high a level, starting often for Inter Milan, at 35 years old. If he can inspire Armenia to a World Cup qualification, build him a statue.
Group G
Poland
Goalkeeper Wolfsburg Kamil Grabara 1999; 15 app 3 clean sheets 1 pen saved 7.0 avg rating
Right Back Aston Villa Matty Cash 1997; 12 app 1 goal 6.7 avg rating
Center Back Torino Sebastian Walukiewicz 2000; 15 app 6.6 avg rating
Center Back Southampton Jan Bednarek 1996; 15 app 6.5 avg rating
Center Back Hellas Verona Paweł Dawidowicz 1995; 9 app 6.0 avg rating
Defensive Midfielder Torino Karol Linetty 1995; 16 app 1 goal 6.6 avg rating
Left Wing Back Roma Nicola Zalewski 2002; 10 app 6.4 avg rating
Attacking Midfielder Bologna Kacper Urbanski 2004; 7 app 1 goal 6.9 avg rating
After getting dunked on by a Euro 2024 group of Austria, France, and Netherlands, Poland can still keep their positive momentum going in qualifying for each tournament since 2016 with the help of an increased contingent playing in Europe’s best leagues. The masked goalkeeper Kamil Grabara is one of the standouts in a crowded Polish goalkeeper field, but his chances are better considering the Wojciech Szczęsny and Łukasz Fabianski era has passed. The attack is usually the Robert Lewandowski and Arkadiusz Milik show though they’ve picked up injuries lately, and Piotr Zieliński is the engine in midfield. I’m looking for the defense and midfielders like Karol Linetty to step up, and young players like Zalewski and Urbanski to take a leap in 2025.
Finland
Goalkeeper Bayer Leverkusen Lukas Hradecky 1989; 14 app 2 clean sheets 6.7 avg rating
Defensive Midfielder Stade Rennais Glen Kamara 1995; 13 app 1 assist 6.7 avg rating
Forward Venezia Joel Pohjanpalo 1994; 16 app 4 goals 6.6 avg rating
Finland’s probably more looking forward to the Four Nations Hockey tournament than the World Cup, because aside from this experienced (therefore aging) trio of players, there’s not much to write home about.
Group H
Austria
Center Back Werder Bremen Marco Friedl 1998; 13 app 7.0 avg rating
Center Back Lens Kevin Danso 1998; 10 app 7.2 avg rating
Left Back Hoffenheim Alexander Prass 2001; 14 app 1 assist 6.8 avg rating
Left Wing Back Mainz Philipp Mwene 1994; 15 app 3 assists 7.1 avg rating
Center Midfielder RB Leipzig Xaver Schlager 1997; 4 app 6.3 avg rating
Attacking Midfielder RB Leipzig Christoph Baumgartner 1999; 15 app 1 assist 6.7 avg rating
Forward Freiburg Michael Gregoritsch 1994; 8 app 1 goal 1 assist 6.7 avg rating
Forward Freiburg Junior Adamu 2001; 12 app 2 goals 1 assist 6.5 avg rating
The key to seeing how Austria develops as a national team is to watch plenty of Bundesliga football, with a sprinkle of Ligue 1 as Kevin Danso is one of the better Austrian center backs. David Alaba will be proud at how a position that he desperately needed to fill a void has become a position of strength. Alexander Prass impressed at 2024 Euro and could close the gap on Phillip Mwene in a year or two. Der Klassiker features another well known pair of Austrians, but you can also look at RB Leipzig for a duo that could play together in Schlager and Baumgartner (though Schlager’s playing time has been limited this season). This could be Michael Gregoritsch’s last chance to feature prominently in a World Cup side, especially since his Austrian successor could also be his Freiburg successor in Junior Adamu.
Romania
Goalkeeper Udinese Razvan Sava 2002; 4 app 6.7 avg rating
Right Back Rayo Vallecano Andrei Ratiu 1998; 16 app 1 goal 1 assist 7.1 avg rating
Center Back Tottenham Radu Dragusin 2002; 12 app 6.5 avg rating
Right Winger Parma Dennis Man 1998; 18 app 4 goals 3 assists 7.1 avg rating
Romania will be underdogs to qualify, but they did well as underdogs in Euro 2024 as well. Razvan Sava is a backup to Maduka Okoye so file him into the needs to transfer category. Radu Dragusin featured more often than Spurs fans expected, but the injury crisis at center back both gifted him those opportunities but also exposed him as more of a depth option for the Premier League side. Still, he’s one of Romania’s best players. Andrei Ratiu (love his blue hair) and Dennis Man make an electric right hand side and continue to impressive at club level.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Center Back/Left Back Atalanta Sead Kolasinac 1993; 12 app 1 assist 7.1 av rating
Right Winger/Attacking Midfielder New England Revolution Esmir Bajraktarevic 2005; 29 app 3 goals 1 assist 6.9 avg rating
Forward Stuttgart Ermedin Demirovic 1998; 15 app 7 goals 6.8 avg rating
Sead Kolasinac is still going strong, as is his friend Edin Dzeko at Fenerbahce, but Bosnia and Herzegovina could use more players like Demirovic and Bajraktarevic breaking through to transition the team away from their golden generation. Don’t count on them qualifying for the World Cup but they have some individual pieces that could give them a sliver of a chance.
Group I
Norway
Goalkeeper Sevilla Orjan Nyland 1990; 11 app 3 clean sheets 6.9 avg rating
Right Back Borussia Dortmund Julian Ryerson 1997; 12 app 1 goal 1 assist 7.0 avg rating
Center Back Brentford Kristoffer Ajer 1998; 10 app 6.3 avg rating
Left Winger RB Leipzig Antonio Nusa 2005; 15 app 2 goals 3 assists 7.0 avg rating
The key to Martin Odegaard and Erling Haaland making their awaited World Cup debut will be the emergence of their supporting cast. Kristoffer Ajer remains a solid center back who has seen some dark times for the Norway national team, so it would be cool to see him help them end their World Cup appearance drought. Orjan Nyland was once seen as a weak link at goalkeeper but has found a home in Sevilla and will be needed to come up with big saves. Julian Ryerson adds his experience from the 2024 UEFA Champions League run and Antonio Nusa could be a monster threat if he develops well.
Israel
Goalkeeper Bayern Munich Daniel Peretz 2000; 3 app 6.1 avg rating
Left Winger Leeds United Manor Solomon 1999; 17 app 3 goals 3 assists 7.1 avg rating
Israel’s popping up in bigger leagues slowly but surely. Daniel Peretz has an opportunity to raise his stock while Manuel Neuer deals with injury. Luckily for Peretz, having Bayern’s defense to help you out isn’t the worst gig. Manor Solomon is another quality player at Leeds United that will look to make the level up with Leeds or another club in 2025.
Group J
Belgium
Goalkeeper Nottingham Forest Mats Sels 1992; 19 app 8 clean sheets 7.2 avg rating
Center Back Eintracht Frankfurt Arthur Theate 2000; 14 app 6.9 avg rating
Center Back Udinese Christian Kabasele 1991; 12 app 1 goal 6.7 avg rating
Center Midfielder RB Leipzig Arthur Vermeeren 2005; 13 app 6.6 avg rating
Right Winger Sevilla Dodi Lukebakio 1997; 18 app 8 goals 7.3 avg rating
Left Winger Lille Mathias Fernandez-Prado 2005; 10 app 1 goal 1 assist 6.6 avg rating
Could Belgium reload sooner than expected? There’s still plenty of Belgians playing great football this season, and that’s good news for the Kevin De Bruyne, Axel Witsel, and Romelu Lukaku generation for potentially one last ride. Matz Sels is a save making machine as Nottingham Forest continue to surpass all expectations, and he could benefit if Thibaut Courtois remains out of the picture. Arthur Theate and Christian Kabasele are cursed with not being Vincent Kompany, Toby Alderweireld, and Jan Vertonghen but are having solid seasons too. Maybe it’s the hyphenated name, but that connection to Yannick (Ferreira) Carrasco aside, Mathias Fernandez-Prado is seeing an expanded role in Lille. I’m most excited to see young Vermeeren develop and Dodi Lukebakio to be a thorn in La Liga defenses’ sides.
Wales
Center Back/Defensive Midfielder Leeds United Ethan Ampadu 2000; 12 app 7.6 avg rating
Center Midfielder Stade Rennes Jordan James 2004; 7 app 6.7 avg rating
Right Winger Fulham Harry Wilson 1997; 15 app 5 goals 6.6 avg rating
Right Winger Tottenham Brennan Johnson 2001; 19 app 7 goals 2 assists 7.2 avg rating
Attacking Midfielder Swansea City Liam Cullen 1999; 21 app 8 goals 1 assist 7.0 avg rating
No Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, no problem. While Wales couldn’t qualify for Euro 2024, more and more Welsh players are making it higher up the English football pyramid. If the likes of Ethan Ampadu and Jordan James can hold things down, having Harry Wilson and Brennan Johnson as winger options will give them the chance to win most games. Had to include a Welsh based player so I’m looking to see if Liam Cullen can continue to push Swansea higher up the EFL Championship table.
North Macedonia
Attacking Midfielder/Right Winger RB Leipzig Elif Elmas 1999; 2 app 6.2 avg rating
Elif Elmas is the most likely North Macedonian player you’ll have access to watch play…if RB Leipzig ever decide to play him. He’s only made two appearances so far, and that’s not good when you have your country’s hopes on your back.
Group K
England
Left Back/Defensive Midfielder Manchester City Rico Lewis 2004; 17 app 1 goal 2 assists 7.0 avg rating
Holding Midfielder Manchester United Kobbie Mainoo 2005; 12 app 6.8 rating
Central Midfielder/Left Winger Atlético Madrid Conor Gallagher 2000; 13 app 2 goals 6.9 avg rating
Attacking Midfielder Nottingham Forest Morgan Gibbs-White 2000; 15 app 3 goals 3 assists 7.3 avg rating
Attacking Midfielder Aston Villa Morgan Rogers 2002; 18 app 5 goals 3 assists 7.0 avg rating
Left Winger Borussia Dortmund Jamie Gittens 2004; 15 app 5 goals 3 assists 7.2 avg rating
Left Winger Nottingham Forest Callum Hudson-Odoi 2000; 17 app 2 goals 1 assist 7.2 avg rating
England’s squad composition is the most overanalyzed worldwide, but one thing holds true ahead of each tournament: there will be an oversaturation of players from the big six clubs. Of those, the ones I’m most interested in are on either side of the Manchester divide. Their versatility is key for a national team trying to maximize the talent it can back into a tournament squad. Players in other strong English clubs like Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi and Rogers as well as playing outside of the Premier League should also be monitored. It would be disappointing if the only non Premier League players end up being Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, because Gallagher is rejuvenated in Madrid and Jamie Gittens has the makings of a star.
Serbia
Goalkeeper Venezia Filip Stankovic 2002; 11 app 1 saved penalty 6.9 avg rating
Center Back Nottingham Forest Nikola Milenkovic 1997; 18 app 2 goals 1 assist 7.0 avg rating
Center Back Sevilla Nemanja Gudelj 1991; 16 app 1 assist 6.8 avg rating
Forward Juventus Dusan Vlahovic 2000; 16 app 7 goals 1 assist 7.1 avg rating
A strong spine is integral to how Serbia plays: tough, physical football. You get that from center backs like Nikola Milenkovic who is one of the biggest set piece threats in the Premier League as well as the steady versatile veteran in Nemanja Gudelj. One of the most impressive goalkeeper performances I’ve seen this season came from Filip Stankovic essentially standing on his head to give Venezia a crucial win over Cagliari in a relegation six pointer. While Al Hilal’s Aleksandar Mitrovic could still be an alpha among the Serbian forwards leadership wise, Dusan Vlahovic needs to step up and lead by putting goals into the back of the net more consistently. While 7 goals at this point of the season isn’t bad, he could’ve easily added 3–5 more.
Albania
Goalkeeper Cagliari Alen Sherri 1997; 6 app 1 clean sheet 6.6 avg rating
Center Back Espanyol Marash Kumbulla 2000; 16 app 1 goal 6.6 avg rating
Center Back Atalanta Berat Djimsiti 1993; 16 app 6.9 avg rating
Center Midfielder Inter Milan Kristjan Asllani 2002; 9 app 1 assist 6.8 avg rating
Albania is not a bad shout if you’re looking to back an underdog to qualify for the World Cup out of Europe. Like Iceland at their peak last decade, they will grind out games while being able to score in the counterattack. I’ll be looking at the progress of this underrated group of defensive players to continue along that path. Hopefully, with a loan move in 2025, we can see more of promising young midfielder Kristjan Allsani.
Group L
Montenegro
Right Back Lazio Adam Marusic 1992; 17 app 1 goal 6.6 avg rating
Forward Lecce Nikola Krstovic 2000; 17 app 4 goals 1 assist 6.8 avg rating
Montenegro haven’t had too many quality players in recent years, but it looks like they have another gem in the forward department coming through. Nikola Krstovic has a tough job feeding off of scraps for a Serie A relegation club, but he has what it takes to be a Serie A mainstay even if Lecce do go down. The clock is ticking for Adam Marusic to make it to a tournament, but in the meantime he’s helping Lazio to a strong start (just ignore the 6–0 loss to Inter) in Serie A and the Europa League
Czechia
Goalkeeper Bayer Leverkusen Matej Kovar 2000; 1 app 5.2 avg rating
Center Back Girona Ladislav Krejci 1999; 10 app 2 goals 7.2 avg rating
Defensive Midfielder West Ham Tomas Soucek 1995; 17 app 4 goals 6.9 avg rating
Center Midfielder Espanyol Alex Kral 1998; 18 app 6.9 avg rating
Forward Hoffenheim Adam Hlozek 2002; 14 app 3 goals 1 assist 6.8 avg rating
For our final stop in Europe, let’s Czech out Czechia (please don’t leave, it’s almost over and there will be no more bad jokes). Lukas Hradecky is getting up there in age, but he’s not ready to pass the torch to Matej Kovar just yet. While he’s played well last season (his lone appearance this season was rough) when given the opportunity, he’ll need more to move the needle here. Krejci, Kral, and Hlozek are quietly but effectively building their resumes. Krejci is a set piece threat and Hlozek could either make a strong partnership or 1–2 punch with Patrik Schick. Tomas Soucek is one of the most versatile midfielders in Europe. You never know when he’s going to lock down a forward or score a banger.
You are an awesome human being if you’ve read all this way. Thank you so much!
